“I’ll take you.”
He pulled out his phone, tapped twice, and a few minutes later the same black car they’d ridden in earlier pulled up. He hadn’t sent the driver far.
In the car, he found her palm in the dark.
“Does this happen often?”
“Catering emergencies? All the time.”
“What will you do?”
“Find a new lamb and marinate it by morning.” She looked at him. “I told you I had backup plans.”
“You did.”
“Sorry. Not the romantic ending.”
“I get to watch you work. That’s better than romance.”
The car pulled up outside her warehouse. The lights were on, and David’s car was already there. Gabriel started to get out.
“No.” She put a hand on his chest. “You need to go.”
“I said I’d watch you work.”
“And if you’re in there, I won’t be able to think about anything except kissing you. You’re bad for business, Sterling.”
He laughed and then cupped her face. His thumb brushed her cheekbone. “Until Thursday.”
“Thursday.”
He kissed her once, soft, and let her go.
She watched the car pull away and stood in her parking lot, her hand pressed flat against her chest where her heart was still hammering.
Her phone buzzed.
Gabriel: That dress is a problem.
Tessa: Good.
Gabriel: Wear it Thursday.
Tessa: No.
Gabriel: No?
Tessa: I’ll wear something worse.
A pause. Three dots. Disappear. Three dots again.
Gabriel: You’re killing me.
She walked into her warehouse smiling. David and Jessica were already on their phones, calling suppliers and refrigeration specialists.
“You okay, boss?” David asked without looking up.
“I’m fine.”
